Swedish furniture giant IKEA was named the Pride of Reading Stronger Together Employer at Friday’s glitzy awards ceremony.

The store in Calcot scooped the coveted crown for the support it gives to people who need extra help to find work in Reading, Berkshire.

Putting IKEA Reading forward for the award – which is for firms that help
unemployed people (aged 25 or over) who need support to get into work or
vocational training, or to move closer to either of these goals – an impressed well- wisher said: “IKEA has shown its commitment to helping people with additional needs into work.

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"Some of this work has been through Shaw Trust, but the local team have also been great in supporting all sorts of projects.

“IKEA is a retailer that embodies some of the best working practices (probably globally) but I love that the local store manages to work in, and with, the community - adapting to the very specific needs of our own local people and reflecting the very best of Reading while representing the IKEA brand.”

The store’s manager Helen Kempton, 50, said: “We believe it’s important to give back to the communities in our local area and are committed to being a good neighbour and a force for good.

“We put people at the heart of everything we do and we’re committed to being a great place to work.”

Reading's great and good were celebrated at the Pride of Reading Awards. Credit: Emma Patterson/getreading

On the store winning the award, Sibel Sever, marketing manager at IKEA Reading said: “We are very proud to win and will celebrate the success but we will not stop what we are doing and will continue to work on making an impact in the community.

“We opened in 2016 and before we opened it was quite clear for us that we wanted to have a positive impact for the community and the Thames Valley, through how we can work with local groups.

See the highlights from the Pride of Reading Awards

“Shaw Trust share the same values and vision as us and is just one the many organisations we work with.

“It is amazing to be recognised for this work but the award recognises not just IKEA but all the partners working together to make an impact.”